Ramil new USF board chair

The University of South Florida's Board of Trustees elected John B. Ramil, president and chief operating officer of Tampa-based TECO Energy, as its chairman last week. Ramil replaces Rhea Law.

Ramil has been a member of the board since 2006, and has served in a number of positions during his tenure, including vice chair and chair of the health sciences and research workgroup. In 2004, Ramil served as chair of the Greater Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

The Tampa native's career with TECO began in 1976, when USF's cooperative education program helped Ramil break in as an employee with the company. He has served as TECO Energy's president since 2004.

Concurrently, the board elected Harold “Hal” W. Mullis to serve as vice-chair. Mullis is founder and president of Trenam Kemker, a Tampa-based law firm.